addices



(No Model.) 3 sheets-sheen' 2;

W. H. ADDIOKS.

VELOGIPEDE.

No. 357,138. Patented Feb. 1, 1887.

5082!/ dam/c@ WITNESSES:

(No Model.) v Sheets-Shelet W. ADDIGKS.

VELOGIPEDE.

No. 357,138. Patentedleb. 1, 1887.

WITNESSES:

N. PETERS. Fhulllhugnpher. Washington, D. C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM ADDICKS, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONEHALF TO J. BONSALL TAYLOR, OF SAME PLACE.

VELOCMIPEDE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No.- 357,138, dated February l, 1887.

Appncauon md .inn 2s, Isso. seriaino.\zos,oa2. (No modem To all whom it may concern:

Be it knownfthat I, WILLIAM H. ADDIoKs, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of Philadelphia, in the State of Pennsylvania, have invented an Improvement in Tricycles, of which the following is a specification. A

My invention, although applicable generally to four-wheeled velocipedes and to single tri cycles, is of especial applicabilityto tandemtricycles or those which are propelled by two riders sitting, respectively, one ahead of th other.

My invention comprehends a driving-gearing of a special construction, which,.without affecting the movement of the pedals or ne cessitating stoppage of the machine, is capa'- ble of adjustment to different speeds and powers, in order to adapt the machine either for rapid running upon levels or for slower` but more powerful action upon ascending grades. A taudem-tricycle embodying a good form of my improvements is represented in the first three gures'of the accompanying drawings, and described in this specification, certain modified constructions, also embodying the invention. being represented in Figures 4, 5, and 6, and likewise described, the particular sub ject-xnatter claimed as novel being hereinafter definitely specified.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 isa side elevation of a three-track front-steering tandem-tricycle embodying my improvements, the driving-wheel nearest the eye being, for clearer illustration, supposed removed. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the tricycle represented in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective detail of the supplemental or sliding .frame shown in Figs. 1 and 2, so much of the main frame as is :necessary to illustrate the relationship of the sliding frame thereto being likewise represented., Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side elevational detail of a modified construction also embodying my invention. Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 of still another modification likewise embodying my invention, and Fig. 6 is a top plan view of theparts represented in Fig. 5.

Similar letters of reference indicate correspending parts.

the drawings, which represent my invention as embodied in atandenrtricycle, the drivingpedals of which act in conjunction with friction-straps and are employed to actuate clutchcontaining drums or boxes of any usual pattern, but preferably of the character employed in what are known as the star bicycles, A is the main frame, of any desired construction and material, but preferably formed of colddrawn wcldless steel tube, and conveniently framed to consist -of two parallel side bars, a

a, connected together by yokes-ax, and also connected with handle-carrying bars a2 by means of transverse tie-bars as, substantiall as shown in Fig. 2. f

A is the perch, which springs from the main frame -in the construction represented from the forward yoke, fax-and carries the steering-wheel B.

The machine represented is, as stated, a three-track front-steerer, but the invention is equally applicable to a machine steering by means of a trailing wheel, and also to a Inachine of the two-track variety, whether the steeringwheel trails or is sprung out ahead. Theinvention is likewise, as also stated, applicable to a four-wheeled velocipede.

O C are the driving-wheels, both of which may be secured to the axle D, herein termed the driving-shaft,7 which, in such instance, is provided with a divided gear or balancegear, E, of any preferred construction/,or one of which may, subject to the control of any usual ratchet-gear, run free upon said shaft. The axle is j ournaled in any preferred manner in the main frame, preferablyhaving four ball-bearings, respectively in the side bars and handle-carrying bars.

F F are the saddles, erected upon saddlestandards f, carried by the main frame.

G are the handles, surmounting handlestandards g, conveniently carried upon the IOO mental frame, the same being a casting, forging, or framing of any preferred material and construction, which is adapted to slide longitudinally upon and with respect to the main frame conveniently by means of boxings k, fitted to travel upon the side bars, a, of the main frame.

The sliding frame is equipped, by the aid of suitable bearin gs, with two transverse shafts parallel with and respectively disposed in advance of and to the rear of the driving-shaft. Of these two shafts that one which is in front of the driving-shaft I term the powershaft7 M, while that one which is tothe rear of said driving-shaft I term the speed-shaft7 N. The power shaft is provided with a power-pinion, n1, which, subject tothe movement of the sliding frame, is adapted to be engaged with what I term the major spur-wheel nz, the latter being a toothed wheel, of diameter considerably in excess of that of the power-pinion, fixedly secured upon the driving-shaft. Thespeed-shaftisprovided with a speed-pinion, n, of greater diameter than the power-pinion, which speed-pinion, subject to the adjustment of the sliding frame, is adapted to be engaged with what I term the minor spur-wheel a, which is a toothed wheel, preferably of the same diameter as the speed-pinion,ixedly secured upon the drivingshaft. The major and minor spur-wheels are, for compactness, preferably but not necessarily placed close together upon the drivingshaft; but they may be spaced sufficient] y far apart to admit between them a balance-gear for said shaft. The speed and power shafts are respectively journaled in the sliding frame a sufficient distance apart, longitudinally considered, to permit, subject to the longitudinal adjustment of the sliding frame, of the engagement of either the power-pinion with the major spur-wheel, or4 of the speed-pinion with the minor spur-wheel, and yet to render impossible a simultaneous engagement of both pinions with both spur-wheels. The distance apart of said speed and power shafts is likewise such as, in the centralposition of the sliding frame, to permit of the engagement of the nether pinion with its fellow spur-wheel, in which position the driving-wheel and its connected spurwheels run free.

The Aspeed-shaft andthe powershaft are each provided with a sprocket-wheel, O, the two sprocket-wheels being positively geared together bya sprocket chain, O`^', and the said shafts being therefore adapted to rotate in unison. It is obvious, therefore, that rotation imparted to either the power-shaft or the speed-shaft, necessarily through the sprocket or chain gear referred to, occasions a corresponding rotation of the other shaft. It is also apparent that if the sliding frame be so adjusted as to occasion the engagement of the power-pinion with the maj or spur-wheel, whatever power is applied to drive either shaft will be, through the positive connection of said two shafts, transmitted through said powerpinion to said spur-wheels and thereby to the 4the machine is applied directly to both the power-shaft and the speed-shalt in the construction under discussion by means of strapoperated clutch-boxes I of any preferred character, but well made when of the character employed, as stated, by the manufacturers of the star7 bicycles, two of which clutch-'boxes are applied to each of saidshafts, a strap, p, from each box passing down to a pedal-lever, Q, fulerumed upon a hanger, a', depending from the main frame.

The sliding frame maybe shifted endwise of 85 the main frame to cause the engagement of either the speed or the powerpinion with theirr respective spur-wheels by any suitable contrivance. I prefer, however, to applya shifting lever, R, or ils equivalent, to the main frame, and connect it by means of a link, r, Fig. 8, with a cross-har, ki, or other member of said sliding frame, the said lever being preferably disposed in advance of the rear saddle and being preferably provided with a latch or lockn-X, engaging a toothed or notched segment, 1*, sprung from the main frame. By means of thislever the sliding frame can be fixedly adj usted in such manner that either the powerpinion is in engagement with the major spur- 10 wheel,the speed-pinion in engagement with the minor spur-wheel, or neither pi nien in engagement.

Such beiugra description of a good construction of myimprovcdgearing, itis obvious that in whichever position of adjustment the sliding frame may be all the power imparted through the pedals to either the power or the speed shaft will be transmitted through the sprocket-gearing connecting said shafts to the other shaft, so that both sets of pedals will be simultaneously potent to drive whichever pinion happens to be in engagement,and thereby, through the engaged spur-wheel, to drive the axle and road wheels.

Although I prefer to employ the strap and clutch driving devices referred to, it is obviout that other contrivances may be substituted to occasion the driving of the power and speed shafts. Thus in Fig. ft I have represented these shafts as respectively equipped with cranks m, driven by pitmen m3, connected with pedal-levers. Thus, also, in Figs. 5 and 6 I have represented a positive chain-gearing applied to said shafts, each of said shafts being provided with a driven chain-wheel, s, operated by chains SX, actuated by driving chainwheels L92,1`1Xedly mounted upon pedal-shafts i, housed in pedal-brackets l, carried by and sprung downward from the sliding frame, the said pedal-shafts being equipped with the usual single-acting bicycle cranks and pedals. In this last-mentioned construction it is preferable to locate the driven chain-wheels centrally with respect to thepower and speed r3, which is adapted to engage with a rack, r",

connected with the sliding frame.

It is obvious that the mechanical details of the construction of both the main frame and of the sliding frame may be almost infinitely varied, and that in the practical construction `of the machine the sliding frame, herein, for

clearer illustration, somewhat disproportionately magnified, may be brought within a very small compass laterally and otherwise, while the entire gearing carried by the sliding frame and contained within the compass of said frame may, if desired, be inclosed by a box or casing of any preferred character.

It is equally apparent that both thespeed and the power of the gearing hereinbefore particularly described will depend not only upon the diameters of the speed and power pinions, as well as of the major and minor spur-wheels, but also upon the respective proportions of the said pinions and wheels considered each with respect to its neighbor, and by neighboring pairs with respect to each other. Such proportions as are represented in the drawings will give good results. This, however, is a matter within the province of the constructor.

It will `be readily understood that my invention is applicable as well to a single tricycle as to a double or-tandem machine, it being -simply necessary to remove from either the speed or the power shaft all pedal-driven devices, and to omit the seat and Vpedals which operate in connection with said shaft from which such devices are so omitted.`

The movement of the sliding frame, being What I do claim, and desire to secure by 1. The combination of adriving-shaft, upon which are mounted spur-wheels `of different diameters, a movable frame-work in which are mounted pinions positively rotated in unison from, the operation of the pedals, and so disposed that but one can be engaged at a time with a spur-Wheel on the driving-shaft, and suitable means for moving said frame-work to vat will cause the engagement of either of said pinions with its corresponding spur-wheel, substantially as described.

2. In a tricycle or velocipede, the'folllowing elements, in combination a main frame in which is fixedly journaled the drivingshaft of the road-wheels7 two toothed wheels of different diameters fixedly mounted upon the driving-shaft, a supplemental frame adapted to have a movement at right angles to the drivingaxle, two shafts journaled in said sliding frame parallel with the drivingshaft, a positive connection between said axles by means of whichthey rotate in unison, a pinion on one of said axles adapted to engage with one of the spur-wheels upon the driving-shaft, a pinion on the other of said axles adapted to engage with the other spur-wheel on the driving-shaft, means for moving the supplemental frame so as either to occasion-the engagement of one or the other of its pinions with its fellow spur-wheel or else to so maintain the frame that neither of its pinions is in said engagement, and pedal-operated driving devicesA applied to one or both of the said shafts of said supplemental frame, substantially as set forth.

3. In a tricycle or velocipede, the following elements, in combination: a main frame in which is lixedly journaled the driving-shaft of the road-wheels, two toothed wheels of different diameters iixedly mounted upon the driving-shaft, a supplemental'frame adapted to have a movement at right angles to the driving-axle, two shafts journaled in said sliding frame parallel with the drivingshaft, a positive connection between said axles by means of which they rotate in unison, apinion on one of said axles adapted to engage with one of the spur-wheels upon the driving-shaft, a pinion on the other of said axles adapted to engage with the other spur-wheel on the driving-shaft, means for moving the supplemental. frame so as either to occasion the engagement of one or the other of its pinions with its fellow spur-wheel or else to so maintain the frame that neither of its pinions is in said engagement, two clutch-containing boxes or drums applied to each of the shafts of the supplemental frame, friction-straps applied to said boxes or drums, and pedals for actuating said straps, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination of a driving-shaft upon which are mounted spurwheels of different diameters, a movable frame-work in which are mounted pinions of different diameters adapted to be positively operated from the operation of the pedals, means for driving said pinions simultaneously in the same direction, and

ysuitable means for moving said framework so ICO In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed 1o the pedals by a sprocket-chain connection, a

my name this 21st day of June, A. D. 1886.

pinion xed 0n each of said' minor shafts and facing One ofthe Spur-Wheels 0n the drivngshaft, and suitable means for moving said sliding frame endwise ofthe main frame, so as to bring one of its positive1ydriven piniens into and the other ont of engagement with its feilow spur-wheel on the driving-shaft, substantially as described.

VIL'LAM H. ADDICKS.

n presence 0f J. BONSALL TAYLOR, WM. C. STRAWBRIDGE. 

